October Minnesota Outdoors Roundup: Deer, Ducks and Fall Color
October is one of the busiest months of the year in the Minnesota outdoors. Archery hunters are already in the woods, the leaves are turning across the middle of the state, and the firearms deer opener is only a few weeks off. The Minnesota DNR has put out a steady stream of news over the past couple of weeks, so we pulled together the items we think matter most to hunters, anglers, campers and anyone who owns (or is thinking about owning) a piece of land up north.
Firearms Deer Opener Is Nov. 7, and the DNR Wants You to Buy Early
On Sept. 29, the DNR reminded deer hunters that the firearms deer season opens Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, and that more than 400,000 hunters are expected to head out. The big change this year is behind the counter: the DNR launched a new electronic licensing system in June, and it is asking hunters not to wait until the last minute. Last year, hunters bought nearly 140,000 deer licenses on just the Thursday and Friday before the opener.
A few practical notes from the release:
You can buy a license through the Minnesota DNR Licensing app, online, or in person from a license agent.
You can carry it on paper, as a PDF, or in the app.
If you buy in person, the DNR suggests confirming that your usual store is selling licenses in 2026.
Some people with more than one record in the old system will need help from the DNR License Center to set up their new account, which is another reason to start now.
Archery season opened Sept. 19 and runs through Dec. 31, and the muzzleloader season is Nov. 28 to Dec. 13.
Youth Deer Season and MEA Weekend Share the Same Dates
The statewide youth deer season runs Oct. 15–18, according to a DNR release on Oct. 5. It is open to hunters ages 10 to 17, who use the standard youth deer license. Under the new license system, children 12 and under need an account linked to an adult's account, while kids 13 and older can set up their own or be linked to a parent's. An early antlerless-only season runs on the same dates in a list of deer permit areas named in the release.
Those dates also line up with the long MEA weekend, when Minnesota kids have a school break. In an Oct. 1 release, the DNR said more than 25 state parks and recreation areas still had over 20 drive-in campsites open, and noted that many state park campgrounds close for the season after MEA weekend. Central Minnesota typically sees its last burst of strong fall color that weekend. Close to our listings, Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is one of the parks hosting naturalist-led hikes.
No Three-Duck Limit Option This Year
Waterfowl hunters got an answer on Oct. 8. The DNR decided not to implement a proposed three-duck bag limit option "at this time," after reviewing public comments along with biological and harvest data.
According to the release, the public input was mixed. Some hunters valued identifying ducks as part of the sport, some worried about the effect on non-target species, and some liked the idea as a way to bring new hunters in. The DNR's own assessment suggested the option would not hurt duck populations, but many hunters preferred the existing six-bird daily structure, and a good number were confused about what the change would actually mean. States that did adopt the three-bird option will be part of a five-year evaluation through 2031.
Fall Color Drives Near Mille Lacs Lake
If you are heading up to look at land this month, the DNR has a suggestion for the drive. Its Sept. 29 list of scenic state forest drives includes Wealthwood State Forest on the north end of Mille Lacs Lake, with peak color expected in early to mid-October. The DNR describes about 15,000 acres of rolling glacial hills and mixed hardwoods there, plus the nearby Ripple River Wildlife Management Area, home to grouse, black bears and deer.
The DNR's two suggested routes:
From Highway 169, go east on State Highway 18 for three miles, then north on North Shore Forest Road, which ends at a sugar maple, basswood and red oak forest with trails.
A loop from Malmo: west on Highway 18 along the north shore of Mille Lacs to Highway 169, a stop at Ready Creek, north on 169 toward Aitkin, then east on Highway 47 back to Malmo.
The DNR notes there is no fee to visit a state forest. That part of the lake is a short drive from our parcels around Garrison and Vineland, including Hilltop Land with Views of Lake Jennison and Land w/ Lake Access & Outhouse.
Zebra Mussels Turning Up as Docks Come Out
This is the time of year when lake owners pull docks, lifts and boats, and the DNR says that is often when new invasive species are found. On Oct. 1 the agency confirmed zebra mussels in Sauer Lake in Becker County and Eleventh Crow Wing Lake in Hubbard County. In the first case, a property owner spotted mussels on a boat coming out for the season; in the second, a county watercraft inspector did. The DNR noted that several recent new finds in Minnesota were first reported by property owners and lake service providers doing end-of-season work.
The DNR's reminders for everyone on the water:
Clean boats, trailers and gear of plants and invasive species.
Drain all water and leave drain plugs out while traveling.
Put unwanted bait in the trash, and never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them to another lake.
If you find zebra mussels somewhere they are not already known, the DNR asks you to contact one of its aquatic invasive species specialists.
What It Means If You Own Land Up North
Put it all together and October is a month to be out there: a youth hunt and a long school weekend in mid-month, peak color around Mille Lacs, and the deer opener coming up on Nov. 7. Having your own spot nearby makes all of that easier. You have somewhere to park the camper for the weekend, set up a stand, or base your trips to the lake and the state forest.
Many of our parcels sit right in this part of the state. Around Mille Lacs Lake we have wooded and lake-view lots in Vineland and Garrison, and in Morrison County there are marshfront and wooded parcels near Randall and Cushing, like the Large Marshfront Property, listed at $15,995 for 0.81 acre.
If you would like a place of your own for next season, browse our current parcels and reach out with any questions. We are happy to help you find the right fit.
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